The Trump administration is looking to crack down on state and local law enforcement who are making it tougher for immigration laws to be enforced.

What You Need To Know

  • Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost sent a letter to lawmakers asking them to outlaw sanctuary cities

  • He is pushing for a state law that would make it illegal for Ohio communities to stand in the way of federal immigration efforts

  • The letter comes as several municipalities across Ohio have taken steps in the past to protect immigrants without legal documentation

A similar effort is underway in Ohio after Attorney General Dave Yost sent a letter to state lawmakers last week asking them to outlaw sanctuary cities.

“The state of Ohio does not enforce federal executive orders that’s a matter; they apply to the federal government,” Yost said. “Local governments and states have no more right to have their own immigration policy than they have a right to print their own money."

It’s for that reason Yost is pushing for a state law that would make it illegal for Ohio communities to stand in the way of federal immigration efforts.

His request came in a letter last week to Senate President Rob McColley, R-District 1, and House Speaker Matt Huffman, R-District 78.

“I have proposed to the legislature that we pass a law in Ohio to make it clear that local governments do not have the opportunity to do a DIY immigration policy and to obstruct federal enforcement of federal law,” Yost said. “It would be routine for the state of Ohio to cooperate with the federal government. We do so in many areas, from counterfeiting to money laundering to human trafficking.”

The letter comes as several municipalities across Ohio have taken steps in the past to protect immigrants without legal documentation.

Franklin County Administrator Kenneth Willson said his county is not considered a sanctuary but that it’s a welcoming place.

“We don’t want anyone to feel threatened that our residents here, in Franklin County, to receive services," Wilson said. "We have a well-known motto that we love to serve every resident."

The county receives federal funding for immigrants who have legal status, Willson said, but it’s a different story for ones who are undocumented.

“They’re subject to federal immigration law,” Wilson said. 

The County’s sheriff sent this statement:

“The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office follows all applicable laws and remains committed to serving and protecting our community. At this time, there have been no changes to our role or responsibilities regarding immigration enforcement, and we have not been approached with any such requests.” 

It’s something Yost said needs to continue.

“The Supreme Court said a long time ago that this is one of those things that does belong to the federal government, not to the states,” Yost said.